"I hope you know I don't think less of you," she said softly, "Status doesn't matter. Behaviour does. What's the point of having the title of a 'Duke' when he behaves like that? My point is... Titles are just names."
How did she always know exactly what he needed to hear? Somehow, she saw through him, past his layers of doubt and defence. He gave her a small, almost shy smile.
He felt lucky to have found her. Sometimes he felt like he was nothing but a burden, a source of trouble for everyone around him...
But with her, he felt like he could be himself. He was incredibly grateful for all that had happened. Maybe it was a good thing he was a refugee, otherwise who knows... He wouldn't have met her.
After Dimitri saw her off to her room, he went back to his. He didn't want to practice in that garden anymore. Every time he goes there, that annoying Everett seems to wait for him.
